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Prototype vs Archetype - What's the difference?

prototype | archetype |

As nouns the difference between prototype and archetype

is that prototype is an original object or form which is a basis for other objects, forms, or for its models and generalizations while archetype is an original model of which all other similar persons, objects, or concepts are merely derivative, copied, patterned, or emulated; a prototype.

As verbs the difference between prototype and archetype

is that prototype is to create a prototype of while archetype is to depict as, model using or otherwise associate a subject or object with an archetype.

prototype

English

(wikipedia prototype)

Noun

(en noun)
  • An original object or form which is a basis for other objects, forms, or for its models and generalizations
  • An early sample or model built to test a concept or process
    • The prototype had loose wires and rough edges, but it worked.
  • (semantics) An instance of a category or a concept that combines its most representative attributes.
    • A robin is a prototype of a bird; a penguin is not.
  • (computing) A declaration of a function that specifies the name, return type, and parameters but none of the body, or actual code.

    • Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * prototype theory

    Related terms

    * first article

    Verb

    (prototyp)
  • To create a prototype of.

    • archetype

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An original model of which all other similar persons, objects, or concepts are merely derivative, copied, patterned, or emulated; a prototype
  • (literature) A character, story, or object that is based on a known character, story, or object.
  • An ideal example of something; a quintessence.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2012
    • , date=May 27 , author=Nathan Rabin , title=TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “New Kid On The Block” (season 4, episode 8; originally aired 11/12/1992) , work=The Onion AV Club citation , page= , passage=“New Kid On The Block” doubles as a terrific showcase for the Sea Captain who, in the grand tradition of Simpsons supporting characters, quickly goes from being a stereotype to an archetype , from being a crusty sea-captain character to the crusty sea-captain character.}}
  • (psychology) According to the Swiss psychologist Carl Jung, a universal pattern of thought, present in an individual's unconscious, inherited from the past collective experience of humanity.

    • Usage notes

    Traditionally archetype'' refers to the model upon which something is based, but it has also come to mean an example of a personality archetype, particularly a fictional character in a story based on a well-established personality model. In this fashion, a character ''based'' on the Jesus archetype might be referred to as a "Jesus archetype". See ''eponym for a similar usage conflict.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Verb

  • To depict as, model using or otherwise associate a subject or object with an archetype.
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